by LadyFontaine, an Advisor on Keen*

There are nine essential ingredients in true love. Each stands alone as being the single most important ingredient in a true love relationship, and each works in synergy with the others.

Self-Respect
Quantum physics shows us that we attract what we are! The Law of Attraction tells us we will attract into our lives what we feel we are worthy of receiving. So, in order to attract true love into our lives, we must recognize and celebrate our own intrinsic value. We must honor and respect ourselves and not allow anyone to disrespect us.

Respect for Your Partner
In order to find true love, both partners must have the utmost respect for each other. Relationships that lack respect are often a struggle. If your partner does things to dishonor you, then they are disrespecting you. If you allow your partner to disrespect you, the message you are sending to the universe is that it is okay to disrespect you. When there is mutual respect, a relationship can soar to incredible heights.

Honesty
In order for a relationship work, both partners must be honest and open. The integrity of your partner weighs heavily on the quality of your relationship. Honesty, trust and integrity are all intertwined. If you see your partner being dishonest with others, you will wonder how honest they are with you. Display and expect honesty and you will receive it.

Equality
There is a fine line between maintaining who you are as a couple and who you are as an individual. Both partners should maintain their independent interests and passions and each partner should be supportive of the things their partner loves. Equally as important, both partners should happily make the relationship a #1 priority and devote the appropriate amount of time to it.

Communication
There are many aspects of communication. Casual communication is when you discuss the weather, current events, etc. Mundane communication is when you discuss basic principles of the relationship; what time to pick up the kids, what to have for dinner, where you are taking the other on their birthday, etc. Intimate communication is when you express feelings, emotions, fears, wants and desires. Many people feel this level of communication is difficult and risky. Communication should be fluent within the relationship. If it is not, then re-examine the respect, honesty and equality in your relationship.

Understanding and Patience
In a healthy relationship, both partners acknowledge and accept each other's differences. Both partners respect the other's boundaries and allow the partner to feel and express things in their own way, in their own time.

Freedom
You can not chain down love or keep it on a short leash. If there is a need to do that; then you have not understood the necessary ingredients to love. Each partner needs to maintain who they are and have their own freedom within a relationship.

Ask Your Partner What They Want and Need
This is one of the most important ingredients, yet most overlooked. Most often, people give their partner what they want themselves. The better approach is to ask your partner, "What can I do to help?" or "What do you need?"

Forgiveness
Forgiveness holds the key to true love! Forgiveness is healing. Forgiveness is liberating! Forgiveness is the first step to achieving a higher love.

*Excerpted from the blog of LadyFontaine, an Advisor on Keen